Markleeville, CA…On July 5, the Alpine County Board of Supervisors approved a partnership agreement with Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) to install reliable, affordable high-speed internet infrastructure in Alpine County. This is one of several initial project locations that GSCA is exploring across its 39 rural member counties for the deployment of an open-access, municipal broadband fiber network.

Through this partnership GSCA will initiate the design, funding and development of an open-access municipal broadband network within Alpine County. Under this model multiple internet service providers use the same publicly owned high-speed network to provide a range of services to homes and businesses. This enables increased competition among internet service providers and greater assurance of affordability for consumers.

“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is vital for the education, health care, and economic growth of California’s rural communities,” said GSCA Board Chair and Calaveras County Supervisor Jack Garamendi. “On behalf of GSCA, I want to thank the Alpine County Board of Supervisors for their interest in partnering with GSCA to connect their residents and businesses using an innovative open-access, municipal service model.”

“This partnership between GSCA and Alpine County presents a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide for the underserved areas of our community,” said Alpine County Supervisor and GSCA Vice Chair David Griffith. “I look forward to the developments ahead as we work together to deploy this critical resource in Alpine County.”

Alpine County was identified as an initial project location, along with other potential sites, through a detailed process evaluating several factors, including the level of service need, estimated costs, and opportunities for partnership with local government and other agencies. GSCA’s intent is to begin with a select number of initial locations and then expand to additional project areas within rural California.

To ensure successful and efficient development and operation of such networks, GSCA intends to partner with UTOPIA Fiber, an industry leader in open-access, municipal broadband and the operator of the largest open-access, municipal fiber network in the United States. UTOPIA Fiber will provide operational services for GSCA’s proposed broadband networks, utilizing their vast experience building and operating similar open-access, municipal networks in other locations in the nation.

GSCA will now begin network planning and financing efforts in coordination with Alpine County, targeting underserved residents and businesses. GSCA will provide additional details to the community as efforts progress.

For additional information, resources, and updates about GSCA visit www.goldenstateconnect.org.

ABOUT GOLDEN STATE CONNECT AUTHORITY

Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) is a joint powers authority comprised of 39 rural California counties designed for the purpose of increasing access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet for the residents and businesses of those counties. GSCA will assist rural counties in identifying pathways for development of internet infrastructure within their communities, including the construction of municipal-owned and/or operated internet systems, among other options. Get up to speed with GSCA at www.goldenstateconnect.org.

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